Raphael's Scheme In Baldur's Gate 3 Is Incredibly Silly
Baldur's Gate 3 is full of interesting villains, each with their own agenda and motives. One of these villains is Raphael, a cambion who seeks to claim the Crown of Karsus, a powerful magical artifact. Throughout the game, Raphael appears to be a cunning manipulator who carefully orchestrates his plans. He uses the game of lanceboard to manipulate the young tiefling Mol, hinting at a carefully laid out scheme.
However, when it comes to Raphael's grand ambition, his plans are surprisingly short-sighted. The Crown Of Karsus is an artifact that was acquired by Mephistopheles, Raphael's father, over a thousand years ago and has been locked away in a vault. The Crown grants its wielder the ability to use magic without needing to rely on the Weave, the channel of magic. This power is immense, but it also comes with a vulnerability. The Dead Three, for instance, have exploited this power to control an Elder Brain.
Mephistopheles Is A Smarter D&D Villain Than Raphael
The fact that Mephistopheles, a cunning archdevil who ranks second only to Asmodeus, never used the Crown is a sign that Raphael's ambition is foolish. Mephistopheles is incredibly intelligent, and it seems likely he understood the potential drawbacks of the Crown. It is unlikely that he would have left such a powerful artifact locked away if he had intended to use it. While Raphael believes that he can use the Crown to rule the Hells, Mephistopheles never attempted such a thing.
Even if Raphael were to gather the artifacts controlled by the Dead Three, the Crown of Karsus still creates a significant weakness. This makes Raphael's pursuit of the Crown even more illogical, especially considering that the Dead Three have already demonstrated the power of using the Crown to manipulate an Elder Brain. This vulnerability makes Raphael's ambition even riskier. Raphael's scheme relies on a lack of understanding of the power of the Crown, making his ambition incredibly foolish.
Baldur's Gate 3 Offers A Unique Look At D&D Lore
Baldur's Gate 3 is a game that honors Dungeons & Dragons lore and history, and one of its many strengths is the way it incorporates these elements into the story. The game also offers a unique perspective on the lore by showcasing how even powerful villains can make incredibly foolish decisions. Raphael, despite his charisma and cunning, is a character who is blinded by his own ambition.
Mephistopheles, on the other hand, is a more complex and nuanced villain. He understands the risks and limitations of the Crown of Karsus, choosing to keep it locked away for a reason. This highlights the difference between a truly intelligent villain and one who is driven by ambition. Baldur's Gate 3 uses the lore of Dungeons & Dragons to create a rich and compelling story, with memorable characters and interesting scenarios that explore the depth and complexity of the game's world.
